Homeowners are urged to be vigilant about distraction burglaries after men posing as ‘Water Board’ officials stole money from two homes.

The incidents took place on Monday in Wensley Road, Coley Park, when £30 was taken from the home of a 96-year-old woman and, in the other, £10 was stolen from a couple in their seventies.

The first incident happened at around 10.30am, followed by the second between noon and 1pm.

One of the men involved is described as white, in his late 30s to early 40s, 5ft 11ins tall, stocky with dark curly hair. He was wearing a light blue sleeveless anorak and a sleeveless high visibility jacket. Police do not have a description of the second man.

Reading crime reduction officer John McNicholas said: “Distraction burglary is a horribly intrusive crime where people deliberately target the elderly and vulnerable.”

Anyone with any information should contact police on 08458 505 505 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.